I currently own this boat which is moored on the Isle of Wight - Bill is a lovely man, a true gentleman and owning his boat and life’s work is an honour. I have the original plans and a book he used to guide him in the process. The boat comes with a trailer which is in good condition. This is the first boat I learned to sail in Thank you Bill!
Bill's story of building his boat brought me to tears. I built a similarly styled boat in my late teens (while in high school and later on). I used every resource I could come up with to finance the project (two jobs, chores, high school graduation money etc.). I had to hire the aluminum mast built and rigged to fit, a sailmaker to sew the sails, buy a trailer and new 3 1/2 hp outboard. I only got to sail her twice and sold her to buy a used mobile home for my new wife and I to live in (should have just kept the boat, lol). Many boat projects later, I am yearning to build another wood sailboat (much smaller of course). I currently have a 30' Columbia and 20' O'Day sailboats, a 16' wood 'Thompson runabout and the boat of my childhood dreams, a 16' 'Glasspar Delmar' mini cabin cruiser (restored from a $100 hulk abandoned in a farm field).....Gary in Michigan
Due to many reasons Bill couldn't sail her for almost a season after launch. But the good news is we did go sailing with Bill and even though it was in light winds the video will follow soon.
I admire and applaud his persistence. Many by now would have given up. But this video should stand as motivation for home boat builders to get the hell on with it. That’s starting and finishing it. The years roll by and he’s close to not being able to handle it now- check the sailing video of this boat. I find it a little sad really. I’m 61 and about to start my second and bigger boat and plan to finish it in 2 - 3 years tops. That’s working on it four days a week at least. I’m not going to be launching it just before I go into the retirement home! : /
I've seen this a few times where some old fella's finally completes his boat after many years (maybe not quite as long as Bill here) I'm still building a small dinghy thats been going on now for a few years haha, so I get it especially with a boat that is a lot of work. You mentioned the motor placement making it a bit difficult to get into the cabin, but remember he said he'd moved the rear bulkhead back some to make the cabin larger and cockpit shorter. Also he put in a larger engine, so in fairness to the designer the engine box would've been under the hatch way making it easier to get in. Great story thanks
OK this kind of vid pops up in my suggestions but I tend to watch a bit then get bored. Not this time... Thanks for making this. I was 4 going 5 when Bill started this project on the other side of the world. I want to have the personal skills needed to see through something like this boat. Maybe because it's like a smaller version of how we must approach this life. Nice work Bill.
Excellent comment, this video shows us the things that today's "need it now" society is lacking. Apart from it showing a stunning little boat and a very humble builder, it shows commitment, dedication, pride, and no lack of satisfaction at his achievement. I particularly liked the photo of the lady (possibly his mum) collecting his empty cup, I wonder how many cups of tea it took to build. Well done Bill.
What an absolutely cracking boat, well done for sticking to it! I'm not far behind you with the boat I started building 20 years ago.... Curious to know why use the forklift with a tabernacle? Surely fit the mast in the tabernacle then either lift it with an A frame yourselves or the forklift as it's available.
I know of a 30 foot Atkins ketch partially built sitting in a slip. The guy started building it in the late 50's. I'm pretty sure the monthly slip rent has passed up the value about 50 years ago.
So the boat came out of the garage completely finished and ready to launch Towed it down the highway to the launch ramp bottom paint is grey As it gets launched the bottom paint is now red I don’t understand
I know, but I imagine that won't be far away. I got into the quiet determination vibe and forgot to expect that, although, yeah, let's see this thing cracking into the breeze!
I currently own this boat which is moored on the Isle of Wight - Bill is a lovely man, a true gentleman and owning his boat and life’s work is an honour. I have the original plans and a book he used to guide him in the process. The boat comes with a trailer which is in good condition. This is the first boat I learned to sail in
Thank you Bill!
Great guy…fantastic boat and story. Thank you
Wonderful, what a marvellous gent and boat x
Bill's story of building his boat brought me to tears. I built a similarly styled boat in my late teens (while in high school and later on). I used every resource I could come up with to finance the project (two jobs, chores, high school graduation money etc.). I had to hire the aluminum mast built and rigged to fit, a sailmaker to sew the sails, buy a trailer and new 3 1/2 hp outboard. I only got to sail her twice and sold her to buy a used mobile home for my new wife and I to live in (should have just kept the boat, lol). Many boat projects later, I am yearning to build another wood sailboat (much smaller of course). I currently have a 30' Columbia and 20' O'Day sailboats, a 16' wood 'Thompson runabout and the boat of my childhood dreams, a 16' 'Glasspar Delmar' mini cabin cruiser (restored from a $100 hulk abandoned in a farm field).....Gary in Michigan
Gary, wow. Thanks for sharing your story with our viewers
You do not want to rush these jobs Bill - a pal of mine took 42 years to decorate his hallway - good sailing and well done.
love the comment
absolutely heart rendering delicious story. I raise my glass to you Bill Probert .May you have wonderful dimes aboard your little gem in the making !
It's a beauty!
Due to many reasons Bill couldn't sail her for almost a season after launch. But the good news is we did go sailing with Bill and even though it was in light winds the video will follow soon.
that is beautiful
Absolutely Brilliant. One of my favorites from your series. Truly looking forward to the sailing video. Thank you for telling us Bill's story.
its a lovely looking sailboat .
That boat should be in a museum. Great story!
OUTSTANDING!!!!
I admire and applaud his persistence. Many by now would have given up. But this video should stand as motivation for home boat builders to get the hell on with it. That’s starting and finishing it. The years roll by and he’s close to not being able to handle it now- check the sailing video of this boat. I find it a little sad really.
I’m 61 and about to start my second and bigger boat and plan to finish it in 2 - 3 years tops. That’s working on it four days a week at least. I’m not going to be launching it just before I go into the retirement home! : /
A beautiful story and boat.
my hat is raised to bill good guy
37 years!
Bloody hell
I've seen this a few times where some old fella's finally completes his boat after many years (maybe not quite as long as Bill here) I'm still building a small dinghy thats been going on now for a few years haha, so I get it especially with a boat that is a lot of work. You mentioned the motor placement making it a bit difficult to get into the cabin, but remember he said he'd moved the rear bulkhead back some to make the cabin larger and cockpit shorter. Also he put in a larger engine, so in fairness to the designer the engine box would've been under the hatch way making it easier to get in. Great story thanks
OK this kind of vid pops up in my suggestions but I tend to watch a bit then get bored. Not this time... Thanks for making this. I was 4 going 5 when Bill started this project on the other side of the world. I want to have the personal skills needed to see through something like this boat. Maybe because it's like a smaller version of how we must approach this life. Nice work Bill.
Excellent comment, this video shows us the things that today's "need it now" society is lacking. Apart from it showing a stunning little boat and a very humble builder, it shows commitment, dedication, pride, and no lack of satisfaction at his achievement. I particularly liked the photo of the lady (possibly his mum) collecting his empty cup, I wonder how many cups of tea it took to build. Well done Bill.
A lovely story. Many happy sails!
She's beautiful!
Truly rewarding, congratulations!
"You've been waiting 37 years for this"
"I've been trying to put it off for 37 years"
Classic!
great story,thanks for sharing
Thing of beauty.
outside the big cities england is gourgeous
Talk about patience! Wow!!
Good interview questions.
What an absolutely cracking boat, well done for sticking to it! I'm not far behind you with the boat I started building 20 years ago.... Curious to know why use the forklift with a tabernacle? Surely fit the mast in the tabernacle then either lift it with an A frame yourselves or the forklift as it's available.
I know of a 30 foot Atkins ketch partially built sitting in a slip. The guy started building it in the late 50's. I'm pretty sure the monthly slip rent has passed up the value about 50 years ago.
What a lovely little boat,but 37 years building it?
37 years?? Did he grow the trees for the lumber as well??
Goodonyamate!
5:20 "I've never built a boat before".
Well you'd never guess.
Where's the sailing video of Bills boat?? Now I have seen the build, I need the payoff!!!
We love the comments but please keep them clean
So the boat came out of the garage completely finished and ready to launch
Towed it down the highway to the launch ramp bottom paint is grey
As it gets launched the bottom paint is now red
I don’t understand
my grandmother is from saudi arabia, and she dresses like that lady, make me wandering if all "old" women shares the same culture?
I really do not understand making a video like this and then not showing the boat under sail.
He's just launched it after 37 years of building for God's sake.
Give the man a break
See todays comment - the sailing video will follow soon.
I know, but I imagine that won't be far away. I got into the quiet determination vibe and forgot to expect that, although, yeah, let's see this thing cracking into the breeze!
@@myclassicboat9083did the video ever follow? I can't find it.
SAIL? you mean I still need to buy a sail? awwwww forget it
Remarkable, truly remarkable! Many congratulations!
Thank you.
Only advice - next time choose a reporter with some brains!
David, your advice taken. Thanks
An engineer takes 37yrs to build a wooden boat, a bit rushed don't you think.
gee if he bought a proper boat back then.....he could of sailed it for 37 years.........I guess he did NOT want to sail
After all that . . . Forgot the sails 👎